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Here’s a little event that made my month… a nice little reflection if you don’t mind some symbolism:

After the 7 PM Ash Wednesday Mass, I announced that I’d be moving in to the new rectory and sleeping in there for the first time as of last night (night of Ash Wednesday). Around 30 adults and children helped me pack out of the condo (the converted tool shed I’ve been living in the last few years), and into the mansion (the new 3 bedroom house which finally went up two months ago).

By 10 PM we were finished. At 9:30 PM, Ken Karabanoff called me from INSIDE the Westbound train and asked if he could stop on the tracks by St. Michael’s in order to receive Ashes. He said he would be honking the train horn from farther away than usual, since he has to start slowing down miles and miles in advance. It was the first time I was happy to hear that obnoxious train horn, since it always blows only 60 yards from the condo and shakes everything around! The train pulled up and stopped about 30 yards from the Church, and Kenneth jumped out of the train, with another conductor. They pulled off their caps and asked for the ashes.

We then prayed an Our Father, and then they jumped back in the train, headed West. Sometimes I look for too much symbolism in things, but this is what crossed my mind: The first day of Lent… night time (symbol of darkness and the desert, St. Theresa’s Dark Night), a West Bound train (meditation on the East focuses on the Resurrection, meditation on the West focuses on the suffering, Passion and Death. A good theme for Lent.).

Reprinted with Permission and with special thanks to
Monsignor Charles M. Mangan

+J.M.J.+

With Gratitude and Admiration:
Reflecting on the Legacy of Pope John Paul II

Monsignor Charles M. Mangan

Anyone who attempts to analyze the notable contributions made to the Church and to the world by Pope John Paul II (1978—2005) is immediately confronted with a pressing question: “Where do I begin?”

The Holy Father said and did so much during his remarkable twenty-six year Pontificate that is it difficult to know where to start, much less to offer an adequate summary.

One could take as his point of departure the Holy Father’s bold proclamation—uttered scores of times in scores of locations—that the human person is created by God in His splendid image and likeness and, therefore, is worthy of love and esteem.

Or one could first consider the pilgrimages, including the famous World Youth Days, which the Vicar of Christ made not only throughout Italy but also around the globe, addressing diverse themes of great importance to his listeners wherever he went.

Instead one could commence this challenging endeavor by highlighting the hundreds of heroic men and women, boys and girls beatified and canonized by Pope John Paul II.

Any of these approaches is valid and worthwhile. This author, however, rather than concentrating on the memorable words and deeds of the late Bishop of Rome, prefers to reflect on the “who” instead of the “what.” Who was Karol Jòzef Wojtyla?(more…)

I have been a strong proponent for a long time of not allowing men suffering from SSA to be ordained. I will write a more on this a bit later. In the midst of the “scandal” I to one person “Doesn’t anyone see that in almost ever case it is a priest acting out with a teenage boy? This isn’t Pedophilia.” I was told that I shouldn’t say that to anyone.

Well we arrived here in Cologne. We are actually staying in Dusseldorf. It was quite a challenge shepherding 135 youth through the trains to get to the stadium but we are here in one piece. Cardinal McCarrick (sp) was our catechetical leader.

I need to keep this brief. We are heading to mass. I met up with some Nac fellows which was nice. Please keep two priests in prayer.

Evidently I just got tagged for this book thing… for an explanation you can go here:

1. How many books do I own: Too many. I just packed 10 boxes of books for my impending move and I am pretty sure I have about 5 left. Plus I have a bunch of books in Texas. Priests and books. I am guessing 500 or more. If you count comic books then I am into the 1000’s because I still have a spider man comic book collection from when I was a kid. I wouldn’t mind selling that though.

2. The last books I bought:

3. The last book I read:

4. 5 books that mean a lot to me: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Ezekiel and Sirach.. I know that is 6 and I have about 67 others but I will give you a break.

5. Tag 5 people…. hmmm do unto others as you would have them do unto you…. break chain letters… How about I just tag two.. both friends, one my Godson’s dad so you can see my spiff spiritual child. Delano and Harry is trying to get me to swicht to Apple’s.

Wow that was a lot of work.. but on another note… I am a priest two years today. Sia lodato Gesu Christo

Tomorrow, February 18th, 2005, the Supreme Court is scheduled to have an internal, private conference to discuss how they will handle the petition filed by Norma McCorvey (the “Jane Roe” of Roe v. Wade) to reverse Roe v. Wade. The Court can either refuse to hear the case, or grant certiorari. PLEASE PRAY THAT THE COURT WILL AGREE TO HEAR THE CASE!

For more information about Norma McCorvey’s efforts to overturn Roe, visit her website here.

If you would like to read the actual Petition for a Writ of Certiorari CLICK HERE.

Unless they postpone their discussion, their decision should be announced on February 22nd. Right now, prayers are all we can offer in this effort. So please take a few moments each day, until their decision is announced, to pray that the truth can be made known to the members of the Court about the impact of their decision to legalize abortion over 30 years ago.

Here is a prayer to aid you in your efforts, and that you can continue to pray until we finally see an end to abortion in our nation:

Prayer to End Abortion
Lord God, I thank you today for the gift of my life,
And for the lives of all my brothers and sisters.

I know there is nothing that destroys more life than abortion,
Yet I rejoice that you have conquered death
by the Resurrection of Your Son.

I am ready to do my part in ending abortion.
Today I commit myself
Never to be silent,
Never to be passive,
Never to be forgetful of the unborn.

I commit myself to be active in the pro-life movement,
And never to stop defending life
Until all my brothers and sisters are protected,
And our nation once again becomes
A nation with liberty and justice
Not just for some, but for all.